§ 3. Mr. MAXTONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the circumstances under which two families were evicted from condemned houses in the burgh of Barrhead and, having no alternative 889 accommodation, occupied empty condemned houses; and on whose authority the fathers of the families were arrested in the middle of the night, taken from their beds, and imprisoned in the local police station?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)I am informed that on 12th April, 1934, the two families referred to were ordered by the Sheriff, at the instance of the factors, to remove within 14 days from houses which had been condemned in December, 1933. On 26th April complaint was made to the police that they had forcibly taken possession of two empty condemned houses belonging to the town council, and on the same day they were warned by the police that if they did not leave they would be apprehended. The two men were arrested by the police at midnight on 29th April under the specific powers conferred by Section 4 of the Trespass (Scotland) Act, 1865. The following morning the men pleaded guilty at the police court to the offence and were liberated without bail. I may add that they are still occupying the houses.
§ Mr. MAXTONCould the hon. Gentleman tell me on whose authority this was done? Does he take responsibility for the arrest and the imprisonment of men who have been rendered homeless under the operation of an Act for which he is responsible I Does he take the responsibility, or who does take the responsibility—locally?
§ Mr. SKELTONThe responsibility in this matter is the local authority's responsibility.
§ Mr. MAXTONBut is the hon. Gentleman aware that the local authority have never met to discuss this matter? I am asking who is definitely responsible for the seizing of two British citizens out of their beds because they had been rendered homeless?
§ Mr. SKELTONI have already stated the Act under which these men were apprehended, and the sequel. I have nothing to add to that.
§ Mr. MAXTONI am asking this—
§ Mr. SPEAKERrose—
§ Mr. MAXTONOn a point of Order. I asked the hon. Gentleman a question, and 890 he has answered me three times. He has said the local authority is responsible. I tell him the local authority has not met. I ask him who has done this thing?
§ Mr. SKELTONI have nothing further to say.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member put a point of Order to me. The Minister has given him a reply. Whether it is right or wrong is not for me to judge.
§ Mr. MAXTONI will raise the matter on the Adjournment. It is an outrage.